Tag Archives: E-Cigarette Regulations

E-Liquid packaging is now officially regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, as of July 26, 2016. Earlier this year, President Obama signed this legislation into law, as the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act, and it has come to its fulfillment. On the part of the industry as a whole, this has been a very welcome regulation, as it is clear the intention is to ensure safety, and to make the products even safer.

This newest e-cigarette regulation will require all packages of e-liquid that contain nicotine which can be accessed through typical use by a consumer, will require a child resistant cap. All manufacturers will be required to have their packaging tested out, and upon the completion of this testing, they will have to show proof of authenticity with a General Certificate of Conformity.

Packages of e-liquids that contain no nicotine/ 0mg, and those that are prepackaged, sealed upon manufacturing, and disposable containers that are used directly with the electronic cigarettes (cartridges) are exempt from this regulation because these products do not come with the same level of danger as bottles of liquids do.

While this regulation may not come as a surprise for many in the industry, most reputable and responsible brands have taken it upon themselves for quite a while to equip their packages with such safety precautions. And though regulations of any kind are usually met with some resistance, especially when people feel their rights to freedom are being infringed upon, regulations that honestly take into account the need for precautions are the responsible way to go.

All IVG brands have used child-resistant caps on e-liquids for quite some time now, understanding that this type of regulation was going to be occurring one way or another. Clearly that time has come to fruition, and while we are happy to have been ahead of the curve, we look forward to all manufacturers in this industry taking a step in the right direction to ensure safety across the board.

With the Tobacco Deeming Regulations’ announcement last week, it has come to light that many people, especially those who are not entirely familiar with vaping, may not know exactly what the difference between the two methods may be. Here is a run down detailing the distinctions, offering a perspective on how especially contrasting the two products are from one another. If you are wondering how vaping differs from smoking, these are the main things you need to know.

Smoke & Vapor: What’s the Difference

Smoke is smoke, the byproduct of burning matter, such as tobacco leaves, or wood, or paper, or any other substance that can be burned.

Vapor is vapor, it is condensation, evaporation in action. The vapor from e-cigarettes is the product of e-liquid, which typically is comprised of just a few ingredients, such as Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, water, nicotine (which is optional) and flavorings. Nothing is burned, there is no smoke produced, and vapor dissipates to basically nothing in minutes after exhalation.

Analog VS Digital

Analog cigarettes are traditional cigarettes. They are tubes of paper filled with chemical-laden, dried tobacco leaves. Pretty basic. Digital cigarettes, AKA electronic cigarettes, are the modern, digitized version in which technology has recreated the original method, replaced the tobacco with clean e-liquid, and allows the user to control every aspect of the device.

Smelly VS Not Smelly

Tobacco has an awful, putrid odor to it. Vapor does not. Sometimes light, aromatic scents waft through the air as a result of e-liquids, but even these fragrant scents dissipate quickly.

On the Subject of Chemicals

Tobacco cigarettes (in addition to the foul substances contained within the tobacco itself, and that come as a result of the burning, such as the lingering tar) are full of thousands of toxic chemicals. These end up inside the body when smoked.

Vapor cigarettes, which use e-liquids, are a different story altogether. Sure, there are some shady liquids out there, but that does not constitute the whole industry on any level. Many e-liquid brands, including all IVG brands for example, are stringent on self-regulating, and maintaining the highest standards in e-juices possible. You can read about it HERE, if you’d like, but to put it simply, chemicals are not part of the product whatsoever.

So, these are just some of the basic differences between smoking and vaping. The FDA’s stance on regulating the two items as the same is clearly an irresponsible move, because simply, they are not at all alike. In the meantime, we are urging everyone to write to your legislators in favor of HR 2058, the FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 201. We also encourage you to sign the Petition asking the White House to have more consideration towards the many millions of people who will be negatively affected by this biased and unfair legislation. And last, but not least, it would not hurt to send a message to your state’s Attorney General urging them for support. Clearly tobacco and vapor cigs are very different products, and we must, as an industry make this evident to those who construct such legislation.

The tobacco deeming regulations were announced this week by the federal government, after years of speculation as to how they would impact the electronic cigarettes industry. As the industry has long been unregulated, it was a continuous discussion that everyone knew wasn’t about if; it was about when. Well, that when is now, and if Congress doesn’t act to overturn these rules, there is the potential for the industry to be quite negatively as a result.

The most confounding aspect of these regulations is that the FDA is categorizing an entire industry’s worth of products that contain no tobacco, as tobacco products. This is done simply to adhere to the February 2007 “grandfather date” and does not account for the thousands of products that simply did not exist at that time. For companies that manufacture vapor products, being able to keep their products on the market will require lengthy paperwork for every product sold, with application costs that can reach as high as $1 million per application. Not many companies, outside of the massive few, and those owned by cigarette companies will be able to front this. And simply, this type of regulation, which targets a growing market is blatantly wrong.

These initial regulations are still being examined, and some rules are less concrete than others, at the moment. Some of the regulations that will go into effect 90 days from now include:

No free samples of vapor products can be distributed

No sales via vending machines

Age verification will be required for purchase, as no sales will be permitted to those under 18, whether online or in retail locations

However, other areas of the nearly 500 page text detailing the deeming regulations are less set in stone, and subject to Congress overturning them. It certainly goes without say, the entire vapor products industry as well as all the researchers involved in examining the benefits of e-cigarettes have been up in arms. There is an overwhelming amount of support for these products, and many feel the positives they possess far outweigh the few negatives.

Currently there is a lot going on as the vape Industry prepares to fight for our rights of equality and by no means is this the end. We have long been ready for these regulations, and we are urging our customers to sign this petition to make it clear to the White House, and to Congress how beneficial vapor products are, and how destructive this type of legislation can be.

To all of our customers, we are here to support you throughout it all, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with the finest in vapor for years to come.

For many months now, the vapor products industry has been anticipating the announcement of the revised FDA Tobacco Deeming Regulations. This has been a continuously looming threat to the industry, and if it were to stand in accordance with how these regulations were initially drawn up, the entire industry would be facing major setbacks. Thankfully, this week the House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to the agriculture bill that was designed to protect the majority of electronic cigarette businesses. While the amendment still has to get passed by the House, the action taken thus far is a major step in the right direction.

The big deal over the Tobacco Deeming Regulations has been that if the original date was to remain the same, all electronic cigarette products that have entered the market since 2007 would be forced to go through a rigorous and costly application process. Known as the Premarket Tobacco Application, all products that have emerged since 2007 would have to apply, and the cost would have been millions of dollars per product. Definitely not a financial figure most small businesses could front, this uphill battle would obviously force most of them into termination. The industry as a whole is highly relieved as a result, because it is evident of positive action in the right direction being taken.

The amendment was proposed by GOP Rep. Tom Cole and Democrat Rep. Sanford Bishop, passing with 31 – 19 votes. Among the amendment’s greatest opposers was Democratic National Committee Chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who has voiced her opposition to electronic cigarettes openly.

However, despite the fact that the bill will have still have to get passed to officially become a law, the impending regulations are looking quite positive. This is exactly the kind of action the vapor industry has been hoping for, and we are entirely relieved that politicians are standing on the side of reason, and protecting what has evolved into a major asset for those looking for alternatives to tobacco.

The vapor products industry is a multi-billion dollar industry now, and it has been majorly influential in offering smokers a variety of options for handling their smoking with lifestyle choices. We are exceedingly pleased that we are headed towards regulations that make sense for all involved.

Vaping is being attacked, yet again. This time, the powers that be (more specifically, anti-vape Senator Blumenthal D-CT) are attempting to ban vapor devices/ products from being carried on aircraft. His proposed amendment aims to expand the present list of hazardous items to include vapor products, which will thereby ban them from being brought onto all flights. Such legislation is not only aggressive and without reasoning, it is a blatant attack on the rights of those who seek alternatives to tobacco.

If you own a vapor products-related business, are a vape consumer, or support the vape industry in any manner, it is imperative that you email or make a phone call to your Senator to voice your outrage over the proposed amendment SA 3547, to the FAA reauthorization bill. As early as next week, there is a possibility it will be debated on the Senate Floor, and if it goes into effect, it has the potential to be catastrophic for anyone who intends on vaping while traveling, or simply just plans on bringing their devices with them.

Considering that vapor devices are already banned from use on flights, and restricted to being carried exclusively in carry-on luggage (checked luggage is prohibited) it is excessively oppressing to those who vape to be forced into such circumstances. This type of regulation impacts vapers in the worst possible way, as the majority of them use these alternatives as an option away from tobacco. To give them no option when traveling could potentially force them back to using tobacco, against their preferences, all for a pointless regulation that does not have any justification.

More than 9 million people use vapor products as an alternative method of smoking, and to restrict these devices in such a way is a forceful attack on the freedoms of those who vape. Traditional tobacco cigarettes are not even regulated in such a way. Cell phones, which contain similar lithium ion batteries as those contained in vapor devices, are not regulated like this, so to thwart such bans on vapers is simply wrong.

Therefore, it is so important to everyone involved in this industry to make it clear to your Senators that support for opposing SA 3547 is the right thing to do. You can find your Senator’s contact info HERE!

The vapor industry is a really exciting place to be at the moment. It is a movement thriving on the brilliance of its consumers, and the limits are constantly getting pushed passed preconceived notions. Right now, we are at a major crossroads for the industry, as the technology is getting seriously into overdrive, while government regulation is looming ahead in many places across the world. As the industry has grown from a seldom seen occurrence into a serious mainstream niche market, it shows how impressive and forward-moving these products have been.

However, at the same time, with progressing and success comes the necessity of rules needing to be rewritten, and in regards to the vapor industry, the game has changed so much, rules are being rewritten everywhere. With millions across the US and Europe having ditched tobacco cigarettes for high tech mods and powerful vaporizers, it has become quite accepted that vapor offers a tremendous experience, with no regulation.

As was noticed quite prominently at Vape Jam, which just occurred in the UK last weekend, the vibe was both excitingly progressive, as well as cautious in regards to the impending discussion of regulations we know will be started this year. The industry has become so technical on its own, as a movement by vapers, for vapers, one of the most impressive trending aspects currently is how dedicated to safety, and self-regulating the industry is. While many vapers are after the showy mods that boast incredible features and the largest capacities for power, behind the scenes is extremely technical and innovation-focused. All of the major companies in this industry are interested in creating the safest, most efficient, and the cleanest devices. It’s about pushing further into the unknown, and developing products consumers can trust are safe.

And in terms of regulations, the vape industry knows they are coming, and will begin to be implemented in May 2016 in Europe, and TBA in America, for better or worse. While many do not see regulations as a completely negative scenario, as they can work to the favor of the industry by offering standards and safety, it is within the hope of all vapers that they are of the more common sense variety.

“Vaping is not the same as smoking.” Vapers have repeated it for years, and finally the law is agreeing.

This week, a New York court ruled that under state law, vapers cannot be charged in violation of the state’s anti-smoking laws because as reality proves, vaping is not smoking.

Shawn Thomas was vaping on a subway platform, and when he was arrested, he was charged under state law, which does not designate using electronic cigarettes in public as illegal. Though in New York City the use of electronic cigarettes is banned in public places under the Smoke Free Air Act, it is not a state law, and this is exactly where Thomas was able to defend his actions and fight the charges he was assigned. In his favor, the judge ruled that smoking laws cannot be applied to vaping.

Vapers have always known this, and anyone else with common sense could have figured it out easily. Smoking involves tobacco, and cigarettes, and fire to light them, creating combustion, resulting in the burning of the plant matter, creating smoke. That’s the basic gist of smoking. Vaping, however, is an entirely different action, and it involves none of the above aspects of the process. Alternative cigarettes use nicotine e-liquid, burns nothing, produces vapor, dissipates without odor, uses no fire, creates no combustion, and does not produce smoking of the device. Clearly, no smoke involved.

This latest action in New York is an evident sign of reform occurring, showing that acceptance, though small, is happening, and however minute it may be, the fact that lawmakers are recognizing the difference is major. As the threat of FDA regulations looms, with the fear that they will attempt to classify vaping as smoking permanently, it is a very promising sign that awareness is occurring. While cases such as Shawn Thomas’ are going to be handled on an individual basis, and New York City will not be altering their Smoke Free Air Act anytime soon, any positive, justified action is a good sign!

Across the pond, in the UK, a First World nation full of educated, intelligent thinking people, with a democratic government, excellent physicians with a fully-functional healthcare system, and a high level of independent research done through their scientific endeavors as well as through their many highly-esteemed universities, they have been able to see through the spin, and understand the enormous potential of electronic cigarettes in regards to the betterment of their public. With 3 million people as smokers, they see the promise an alternative such as vapor devices presents. Instead of fighting over trivial suspicions, they are focusing on facts, and focusing on how many lives can be saved by offering vapor devices as legit cessation options.

In the US, however, we find a new reason to vilify e-cigarettes every week, and often base these suspicions on the conclusions of sporadic studies, often done with biased data, or select data from perfectly positioned groups that will enable the outcomes to sway in their predetermined directions.

According to vapor products advocate, David Sweanor (adjunct professor of law at the University of Ottowa as well as a special lecturer for the division of epidemiology and public health at the University of Nottingham): “There’s a very strong abstinence-only part of what’s going on in the anti-smoking movement. I think it’s one of the most counter-productive things that we’ve ever seen.” Having spent a huge amount of his career over the past 30 years dedicated to fighting the war on tobacco, Sweanor is more than capable of offering some insight to a muddled situation that could really use some common sense.

This week, reports of a study done the journal the Lancet Respiratory Medicine, claimed that according to their data, e-cigarettes do not help smokers quit smoking. Despite having been published by a legitimate medical journal, the study was loaded with inaccuracies, and has been labeled both “grossly misleading,” by Peter Hajek, currently the Director of the Tobacco Dependence Research Unit of Queen Mary University of London, and “not scientific” by Deputy Director of the UK Centre for Tobacco & Alcohol Studies, Ann McNeill, who also serves as a professor at King’s College London.

It’s rather interesting, though heavily confounding on why electronic cigarettes are being so vilified in the media. Sure, we could go all “conspiracy theory” on you as to why this could be part of some big, deep, underlying scheme, but that’s really not necessary. There’s enough going on at the surface to ponder, and it really is perplexing every way it’s examined. We’re certain, despite the current state of affairs, that the future holds much promise, but in the meantime, it’s a crazy path the industry is navigating!

With a new year right upon us, we are looking forward to what’s to come. Every year, we watch the vapor products industry evolve in new directions, unveil all sorts of new innovations, and experience the technology in action.

In 2015, the availability and options in regards to the most high-tech box mods, sub ohm devices, and exceptionally high quality e-liquids became extremely mainstream. What used to be reserved for only the most eager of DIY vape enthusiasts became accessible to any and everyone who wanted to experience the power of taking the control of a box mod into their own hands. In a few short months, the industry changed entirely. Trailing on this trend, we expect 2016 to offer even greater offerings in terms of technology, and making very advanced products available to those who want them, without having to construct them on their own, if they do not want to.

As for regulations, we are awaiting them because it seems rather imminent in the US. One way or another, (and hopefully they will be created with fairness and common sense in mind), it is only a matter of time before they are here. While we do not know what to expect exactly, we do hope that all regulations instituted are fair and not oppressing to the industry and its users.

It has been predicted that the overall sales of electronic cigarette products sales for 2015 would be somewhere in the vicinity of $3.5 billion; quite a legitimate market when you weigh all angles. In fact, current models show that by 2018, the vapor products industry is expected to reach the $10 billion range. The growth is imminent, and despite the impending regulations that are clearly an obstacle the vapor products market is contending with, this industry is way greater than a single trend; it’s a thriving niche.

So, 2016 is almost here and we are most definitely looking to the future with promise and optimism. We expect growth, innovation, and continuing to evolve with this ever-changing industry. From everyone here at IVG, we wish you a super, happy New Year!

The latest news on e-cigs is that vape shops in DC need to watch out! And so it begins… massive taxes have finally hit the e-cigarette world, at least in the nation’s capitol, Washington DC. Vapers have long been dreading this, though many have expected it for quite some time.

On October 1st, 2015, DC implemented a new 67% excise tax on all products related to electronic smoking products, including electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and e-liquids. As part of the 2016 budget proposal, which encompasses the Vapor Product Amendment of 2015, officially halts the classifying of e-cigarettes into the same grouping as traditional cigarettes in regards to sales tax. The increase is monumental; when regarded as tobacco products, e-cigarette products were subject to a 5.75% sales tax; a far cry from the crippling 67% consumers are now faced with. Though it does not extend to online shopping, the law is aimed at the many vape shops that have opened up throughout the DC area.

While this is not a nationwide law, those in the DC area are going to see a lot of big changes in how e-cigarettes are sold locally. This regulation was enacted as an effort to raise money, in which the mayor of DC, Muriel Bowser anticipates an increase of $400,000 to be gained, and used towards local efforts.

This new amendment officially declassified electronic cigarettes as tobacco products, and goes in for the kill by giving them their own category; allowing municipalities to take the taxation to the extreme.

We have long advocated the implementation of regulations within reason, and laws that are made on behalf of the people who use the products, and above all, done in the name of common sense; not exploitation in an effort to raise money.

What may seem like such a small move has the potential to be catastrophic. Because it directly targets brick and mortar shops, along with gas stations and convenience stores, it is expected that stores in the area will be closing, customers will be driven away due to high cost, and people will most likely lose jobs. Doesn’t sound very economically stable, or growth-inducing, does it, considering this law was enacted to stimulate the local DC economy?

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